Employment Supports

Rehabilitative employment

If you work you can disregard the first €120 of your earnings when working out your weekly means. Earnings above this limit will be counted as means. This disregard applies only to work that is rehabilitative. If you wish to take up this disregard, you should send us medical evidence from your GP stating the work is rehabilitative.

Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA)

If you are getting Blind Pension for at least 12 months and you wish to take up self-employment, you may transfer to the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) scheme. This allows you to get 2 years financial support. If you become self-employed under BTWEA you will get all of your Blind Pension for the first year, and 75% of it in the second year. For more information, log on to www.welfare.ie.

If you are unable to continue on BTWEA, your entitlement to Blind Pension will be automatically restored.

Educational supports

Back to Education Programme

If you are getting Blind Pension, you can do further study without affecting your payments and benefits.

Back to Education Allowance

This allowance covers approved second and third level courses.

To take up this option, you must be:

aged 18 or over,

getting Blind Pension for at least 6 months, and

attending an approved second or third level full-time course at a recognised school or college.

Under the scheme you will get the maximum rate of Blind Pension and keep any secondary benefits you already have for example, Free Travel and Fuel Allowance. While on Back to Education Allowance, you can work part-time or during holiday periods without affecting your payment. However, if you are getting Rent or Mortgage Interest Supplement, this will be affected by any extra income.

Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS)

This scheme is operated through local Vocational Educational Committees (VEC’s). The courses can last up to two years and can lead to qualifications such as Junior